CENSURE - 39min, UK
Directed by Richard Bazley

When introvert, Aaron, finds himself struggling under the weight of a revelation, he dreams of escaping to the only place he can breathe. But escape has a cost, and he must ask himself if it is a price he is willing to pay.

https://rmbazley.wixsite.com/censure
https://www.facebook.com/Censure-105527732039739
https://twitter.com/BazleyFilms
https://www.instagram.com/bazleyfilms/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
Getting any film made is hard so if you do make a film you really want to have to make it! You need a reason! I had a pretty successful career as an Animator, Ex Disney, Ex-Warner Bros. After the death of 2D Classical Animation in Hollywood I found myself reinventing myself. I wanted to tell whole stories, not just animating a few seconds in a $150 Million Dollar Film for a Multi MIllion Dollar Corporation. I wanted to tell stories that meant something to me. As soon as you get into big budgets you are restricted in so many ways. What the Execs want, what the clients want but what about the "Director's" vision? That is what you get with a short film on a micro budget! It is pure and it is honest. I wanted to tell stories that meant something to me and "Censure" is the first of many.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you

to make this film?

I worked in Animation for years. I was a Lead Animator at Disney and to make a film can take years! The beauty of Live Action is speed. If you are Directing an Animator they can say to you "see you in a week" to do a new version and that would be just in rough! In Live Action you can ask an actor to try a few versions and in seconds you have a new interpretation! It is so much quicker!

Writing and story is key so I am lucky enough to have long term collaborator Neil Bason, an incredible wordsmith! So for a script to ferment (like a fine wine) we took a couple months with back and forth notes. Then I like to storyboard but I am fast and quick thumbnails will work as I have it all in my head. Pulling in the crew, casting, locations, I would say another month or so. I had the most amazing DOP John E Fry lined up. Also a top Actor Connor Wulfric, whom I had seen in an audition tape a year before for a Horror Film I was to Direct in Ireland. I hunted around for other key performers and found the amazing Vivien Taylor to play the most annoying Sister in the World , Massie. Then she pointed me to the amazing Elaine Makenzie Ellis to play her Step Mum. To top it all I had wanted the Great Tom Conti to play a character in one of my Feature films. That hasn't happened yet but he was happy after reading the script to play Richard, The Father. The Stars must have been aligned!

Music for me in a film is a huge part. So I was happy to give the composers of CENSURE "Noise In Your Eye " (Adrian Chivers and Daniel Pannie) the time to create their magic! So A couple months for that. The of course there is all the Post. So all in all the whole process was around Four months.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Mission Accomplished!

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Finance is usually the biggest obstacle but in this case we all just wanted to make a great film and all made great sacrifices! So although we didn't have a big budget it didn't hold us back!

As this was all self financed on behalf of the team we had no Film Execs, so I have to admit we were fairly Obstacle free! As soon as we get to bigger budget Features we will never have this freedom again!

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

I was amazed at the incredible insight and individual interpretation all of which was valid! It was also a massive buzz. I have watched the film in Theatres and heard the audience reaction which can be great. At one Festival in London someone shouted "Great Film" from the back row! That was great! But to hear so much considered feedback in your Audience feedback video is awesome!

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

Gosh I could write pages! Age 10 when I was given a book for my Birthday, "The Disney Films" by Leonard Maltin. That hooked me in and even went on to become a Disney Animator in LA! Then Ray Harryhausen with "Jason and the Argonauts", progressing to James Bond, Star Wars, Stanley Kubrick, Martin Scorsese, John Boorman, Ridley Scott, Tarentino and many more!

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
When I was a youngster there was no Video or DVD so every Chritsmas it was a treat to see "Jason and The Argonauts" by Ray Harryhausen. It was mind blowing. I must have seen it hundreds of times as I lost count!

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other
festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

I think your Festival is doing incredibly well and is so well rounded in all aspects! I would say keep doing what you are doing and Wildsound Festival will become one of the Major Festivals without doubt! It is clearly run by film lovers!

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your
experiences been working on the festival platform site?

Filfmfreeway has been great! When I moved back from LA to the UK 20 years ago I had to make multiple betacam video tapes at great expense then post them all. Now you upload one link and click away! It's so easy!

10. What is your favorite meal?

Sushi! Although I developed that taste in LA not Japan! Washed down with a quality Sake!

11. What is next for you? A new film?
Absolutely! Many films in development and TV series. One series was developed with Gary Kurtz (Producer "Star Wars", "The Dark Crystal") called "The Chimeran" www.thechimeran.com.
I also have a magnificent micro budget film "LIttle Red" which I wish to film in Bristol
https://rmbazley.wixsite.com/littleredmovie
A feature based on my Grandfather who was a Champion Cornish Wrestler, based on his struggles and eventual encounter with Martial Arts Master Yukio Tani at the London Palladium.
https://rmbazley.wixsite.com/georgeandthedragon
and a very personal film based on my Father called "I See Spiders"
https://iseespiders.wordpress.com/